The trial of former Israeli president Moshe Katsav on charges of rape and other sexual offences opens in Tel Aviv today.
Mr Katsav arrived at a Tel Aviv court to face charges that he raped a woman who once worked for him, as well as other sex crimes involving two other former employees.
The 63-year-old told reporters outside the courtroom he was embarking on a “long, tough battle to clear my name and I promise once again that, God willing, I will emerge innocent”.
Mr Katsav resigned two weeks before his seven-year term ended in 2007 under a plea bargain that would have required him to admit to lesser charges of sexual misconduct.
Last April, he called off the deal and said he would stand trial to clear his name.
He was replaced by Nobel peace laureate Shimon Peres.